MANILA, Philippines – Ford Philippines officially kicked off the sixth year of the company’s global Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) program this week, continuing its ongoing commitment to promote safe and smart driving practices in the Philippines.
In partnership with a number of its dealers, Ford is conducting a series of DSFL seminars this year with the aim of more than 500 licensed drivers participating in the program, free-of-charge, through the end of the year. The training focuses on safe, smart and fuel- efficient driving skills, as well as providing handy tips on vehicle maintenance.
Driving Skills for Life includes both classroom training and practical learning to help educate drivers of all ages on safe driving practices. The program has been customized for the Philippines to reflect the local driving environment and road conditions.
Ford has conducted road safety initiatives in the Philippines since 2005 – having re-branded its efforts in 2008 under Ford’s global Driving Skills for Life banner – with more than 20,000 licensed drivers having participated in the Philippines.
“As a leading automotive brand, we see it as our responsibility to help raise awareness about safe driving, and encourage drivers to practice safe and smart driving. Our Driving Skills for Life program is an engaging and effective way to get the safety message across and deliver on this responsibility,†said Kay Hart, managing director, Ford Philippines.
Ford’s DSFL partner in the Philippines, Tuason Racing School (TRS) is continuing to lead the seminars this year, which include interactive activities on safe, smart and fuel efficient driving techniques, as well as the practical, vehicle driving component of the training.
The DSFL seminars will be held in dealerships across Metro Manila, including Ford Alabang, Ford Commonwealth, Ford Global City, Ford Libis, Makati Ford, Ford Manila and Ford Manila Bay. In addition, seminars will be conducted in key provincial dealerships, including Ford Batangas, Cavite and Ford Pampanga.
Pledge to drive safe
As part of this year’s campaign, Ford is launching a special online component, called ‘I Pledge to Drive Safe’, which encourages the participants and anyone interested in the DSFL campaign to make a ‘pledge’ for road safety and share it with their family and friends on their social networks.
To join the ‘I Pledge to Drive Safe’ campaign, participants must “Like†the Ford Philippines Facebook fan page (https://www.facebook.com/FordPhilippines) and to take the ‘pledge’ found on the campaign tab.
Participants are urged to take the online pledge that will require users to practice at least one of the ten safe driving techniques listed. Once they have chosen a pledge, participants are invited to send an e-card to a friend or family member on Facebook.
After three successful pledges, the participant will earn one ‘badge’. The badge will instantly entitle the participant to receive an exclusive ‘I Pledge to Drive Safe’ kit, which includes a sticker replica of their badge and a copy of their e-card via registered mail.
The first 500 badge-earners will be entitled to the special kit.